Machine for folding, drying, and ironing articles of linen.



No. 858,706.' I PATENTED JULY 2, 1907.

E; GOLLON. MACHINE FOR FOLDING, DRYING, AND IRONING ARTICLES DF LINBN.

APPLIOA'I'ION FILED AUG. 27. 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1,

Win/eases. 1760672 307.

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No. 858,705. PATENTED JULY 2, 1907.

. I E. GOLLON. MACHINE FOR FOLDING, DRYING, AND IRONING ARTICLES OPLINEN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

flfi Znesses.

PATENTED JULY 2, 1907.

E. GOLLON. MACHINE FOR FOLDING, DRYING, AND IRONING ARTICLES 0F LINEN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1904.

4 SHEETBBHEET 3.

No.858,705. PATENTEDJITLY 2, 1907. 5.00L'L0N.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING, DRYING, AND IRONING ARTICLES OF LINEN. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

--- nun I wi l 77(0)?- wns as UNITED srarns PATENT osrros.

EUGENE OOLLON, OF CANNES, FRANCE.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING, DRYING, .AND IRONING ARTICLES OF LINEN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1907.

Application filed August 27. 1904. Serial 110,222,460-

others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a machine for folding serviettes and other articles such as handkerchiefs and the like which machine if desired can also accomplish the ironing and drying operation's'thus considerably reducing labor.

The machine chiefly comprises: a primary horizontal cylinder which takes up the serviette or other article in its movement and around which are mounted devices which produce the folds in the first desired direction; a horizontal grill device to which the serviette is next brought and deposited upon, by .means of endless bands and upon which the serviette receives the first of the folds made at right angles to the folds which are accomplished by the devices above mentioned; lastly of a second cylinder; horizontal like the first but perpendicular thereto, on to which the serviette is brought by an endless apron, perpendicular' to the endless bands and this-cylinder produces one or several other folds in the second desired direction by means of devices similar to'those used in connection with the first cylinder.

During its passage through the machine the serviette is constantly caught hold of by cylinders and rollers between which it isheld or by endless bands or apron upon which it rests in such a manner as to be compelled to advance regularly without possibility of being displaced; this insures perfect and accurate folding at the places desired, seeing that on theother hand the folds are made by blades whose movements aregoverned by levers which are actuated by adjustable cams and the folds are then accentuated by pressure between rollers.

If insteadoi the machine performing only the folding operation it is desired that it shall dry the ser- .viettes or other articles simultaneously it is only necessary to heat the two cylinders. If, in addition it is desired to iron the articles at the same time there are placed around the heated cylinders a certain number of rollers which press the articles into close contact with the cylinders the rollers being revolved by contact with the moving articles and their surfaces being furnished or covered with felt in order to increase the adherence.

In order to enable the invention to be'readily understood reference is made to the accompanying draw ings in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved machine a portion being removed in order to show the blade which performs the first fold in the second direction also the grill upon which the serviette is resting at this time and the endless apron" which conduct the serviette to the second cylinden Fig: 2 is an elevation seen from the right hand side of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the supplementary pressing rollers which are disposed about each of the cylinders as above stated when the machine is required to accomplish the drying of the linen. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, in side elevation, of the mechanism which makes the first and second fold in the serviette. Fig. 5 is a partial elevation, seen from the left-hand side, of the parts shown in Fig: 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the rollers for depressing the carrier bands. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the third folding devices, and Fig. 8 is a view, seen from the right of Fig. 7, some of the parts shown in section.

V The machine and its mode of operation will now be described supposing that it is only. required for folding. The serviette or other linen article that is to be folded isplaced flat upon a table 1 and a roller 3is lowered on to it and lays it on a cylinder 2 which rotates constantly and the surface of which is furnished with felt a or what is better caoutchouc; the serviette. is carried round by the cylinder and is brought under a presser roller 6 which is'pressed down by springs 7 and which in turn compels the serviette to accompany the cylinder 2 after which the roller 3 is again elevated. This movable roller 3 is mounted in one of the arms of a counterweighted three armed lever 4 another arm of which carries-a, roller which bears against a cam 5 keyed upon theshaft 2, of the cylinder 2. The serviette in further advancing comes upon a fixed guide 8 which'e'irtends to a roller 9 turning in the direction of. the arrow Fig. 2, being driven by gearing Fig. 4 from another roller 10 which is driven from the main cylinder 2; the serviette in continuing its advance is thus brought on to a second fixed guide 11 and when it is in therequired positionlfor the formation of the first fold, the roller 13 upon a bell crank lever 14 falls into a recess in the cam 15 and causes the blade 12 to descend and make the fold and to pass the serviette between the rollers 9 and 10 which press the serviette between them thus accentuating the fold. The serviette having its first fold is now fed by the roller'lO on to athird fixed guide L7; it now arrives at the roller 18 which feeds it on to the fixed guide 21; when the serviette is at the desired point for the formation of the second fold a notch in the cam 22 causes the bell crank lever 23 to lower the blade 20 which thus makes the second fold and passes the serviette between the rollers 18 and 1.9 which now take hold of it. The rollers 18 and 19 like the rollers 9 and 10 are connected by gearing, as shown in Fig. 4.

The apparatus shown in the drawings carries only two folding sets about the main or carrier cylinder 2 but it is evident that a larger number could be arranged according to the number of folds it is desired to obtain.

The serviette completely folded in one direction is now taken up between the cylinder 2 and endless bands 24 the latter pressing it against the cylinder. At a certain point the bands leave the cylinder and run horizontally carrying the serviette on to a horizontal grill 25' Figs. 2 and 7 which is arranged substantially level with the lowermost point of the pcriphery of the cylinder 2. When the serviette is'over the grill the bands deposit it there and cease to carry it because at this moment the rollers 37, 37, Fig. 6 carried by the levers 38 38, descend upon the bands 24 and cause them to be lowered beneath the surface of the grill, the bands passing through the interstices of the latter.

The endless bandsrun over idle guide roller-s36 and to maintain the tension a weight 24 is suspended'from each band, a stop bar 24? preventing the weights from being carried along by the'bands. The levers 38, 38

which support the axles of the rollers 37 37 are 'slot-.

ted t'oreceivethepivots- 39 '39 and they are connected at their upper extremities with a horizontalpinor rod 40 which can be moved from end to end of the vertical guide way or slot'40 by a lever 41. The lever 41 is pivoted at one end at 41 to the framing and at the other end is provided with a rolitr 4'1 which bears upon the cam 42 keyed upon the shaft 2 of the main cylinder 2,-in such a manner that the rollers 37 and 37 depress the bands 24 at the proper momint in order that the serviette may be deposited 'upon the grill 25 as above described. =When the serviette has arrived in this position a horizontal 'blade 26 arranged at right angles to the axis of the cylinder 2 descends upon the serviette to make the'first fold in the second'd'irection and to pass'it between two rollers 27 and 28 which accentuate thefold' by pressure.

In order to= permit adjustment of the position of blade 26 so that it may either'be'opposite the middle point in length of the cylinder onto the right thereof according:to=whether the serviette is-to receive four or three folds-in-the second direction, the extremities of the blade are guided in vertical grooves formed in guide-pieces 43, and' these guide-pieces are movable along bars 45' by means of screws-44 which work in screw-threads formed in said'guide-pieces. The vertical movement ofthe blade is controlled by a rod 46 connected thereto and to a rod 47 which latter is united with the ends of two crank-arms 48 on the ends of stubshafts 48 and 48 pivoted in theiframing of the machine. The shaft 48 carries at its'other end a crankarm 48 on which is mounted a roller '49 actuated by a cam 50 mounted on the shaft 2" and a counterweight 51 carried by the crank-arm 48 causes the blade 26 to be lifted, when the cam permits. In order to likeeasy/o5 wise adjust the position of the rollers 27, 28, the axle of these rollers are journalcd in blocks 52, which have a dove-tailed portion (as shown in crosssc(-iion, Fig. Tl fitting into corresponding grooves formed in burs 53 of the frame, said blocks being screw -ihro:1ded to receive the threads on the screw rods 54 openuod by hand wheels 54.

Between the rollers 27 and 28 an endless apron 2!) is passed in a direction at right angles to the bands 2i and it can always be maintained taut by moving the blocks 55" which support the axle of the druru'55 over which latter the apron passes. When the servieti 0, fold ed the first time in the second direction, has passed between the rollers 27, 28, the apron conducts the servietii away, without the possibility of it sliding, iowurds the second cylinder 30 which is arranged at right angle to the first cylinder 2 and around which is placed the do vice which gives the serviette a second fold in the second direction. Other additional devices may bo'provided if it is desired to make one or several folds more.

When the servietto has passed from the horizontal part of the apron 29, a blade 33 makes the second fold and passes the serviette between the two rollers iii and 32 of which the first is rotated by the cylinder 30 and drives the second by gearing; the apron 29 which passes partly round and between the rollers as shown in Fig. l of 'thedrawing insure the passage of the scrviettc be tween the rollers although it then has a certain thickness and rigidity. The movement of the blade 33 is produced in the same manner as that of the blades which produce folds in the first direction, that is to say by-means of the cam 34 and of the lever 35.

Asdescribed so far the machine only serves for fold i ug,

since the parts coming into contact with tho linen are not heated; but it may be enabled to dry iho'goods by heating the two carrier cylinders 2 and 30 by steam or by any other convenient method. These cylinders are made of cast'iron or-preferably polished steel plate and are not covered with any material but on the other hand the rollers forming part of the folding devices which press thereupon-may be covered with felt in ordor to obtain the same adhesion as before. Fig. 3 shows the cylinder 2 as provided with an internal annular chamber 2 into which steam is admitted through a-pipe 2" passing through the hollow shaft 2. If in addition the -machine is to be used for ironing it is further necessary to arrange aroundthe cylinders a certain number of presser rollers 56, Fig. 3, to compel the damp linen article to pass along in close contact with the cylinders. As the article remains upon the two cylinders 2 and ill) for a great part of their circumference the surfaces thereof are well utilized inthe manner described.

Claims- 1. In a folding machine, the combination with :1 rotuiing cylinder, of a pair of rolls mounted contiguous ihere to, means to guide the article to be folded over the rolls and ineans for feeding said article between the rolls. whereby it is fed'buck onto the cylinder.

2. In a folding machine, the combination with a rotating cylinder, of a roll in frictional engagement therewith.

a second roll'driven from the aforesaid roll and means for feeding the article to be fo ded between the rolls to the cylinder.

In a folding machine, the combination with a rotating cylinder, 11 roll contiguous to the cylinder and i'otuiing in an opposite direction thereto. a second roll in contact .lll)

with and drivon from the aforosaid roll and rotating in tlto saute dirootion as tho oylintlot'. a blade oontiguous to tlto point of oontat't of tho rolls. attd tuoansfor periodic ally advanoing tho hlado toward said point of oont'aot'.

4. iii a folding ntaoltino. tho cotnhination witlt a rotating oylindor. of a pair of oppositoly rotating rolls tnountod oonliguous llltl't'ttl. tnoans for guiding an artiolo from tho oylindor ottto ono of tho rolls. tnoans for guiding tho artiolo frotn said roll ovor tho othor roll, and inoans to food said artiolo from tho lattor guido to tho rolls.

.1. ill a folding ntaohino. tho ootnhiuatiou with a rotating oylindor. of roll in t'riotional ongagoniont 'thorowith. a sooond roll tlt'ivotrhy tho tirst roll and rotating in tlto satno dirootion as tho oylindot'. a guido plato loading from tho r \'|indor to tin sot'otld roll. a guard plato loading from tho lattor roll ovor tho adjaoont roll. a hlado. and moans for poriodioally tnoving tho lattor hotnoon tlto stoond roll and guard plato.

ti. in a folding inaohino. tito oonthinatiou with a rotating oylindot'. of a roll iii friotional ongagontont thorowith. a sooond roll drit'on from tho a t'orosaid roll.a guido plaloload ing from tlto o \'lindor to tito sot-ond roll. tnoans ou'optl'ilfing with tlto rylindor for loodiug an artiolo ottto tho gttido plato. a guard plato to roooivo tho artiolo from tho sooond' roll and a hlado adaptod to swing into oontaut. with tho rolls.

T. in a folding tnaohino. tho oonihination with a rotating t \'|lll(l(l'. of a pair of oppositoly rotating rolls mountod rotttiguous thoroto. a hlatlo to food tho artlt'lo to ho foldod to tlto rolls whot'ohv it is l'od haok onto tho oylindor. a soo ond pair oi opposnoly rotating rolls tnotttttod oontiguous to tho o \'lindot'. a hlado to food tlto at'tiolo to ho t'oldod to tho la t natnotl rolls. and moans to altornatoly tl('tlltlit said ltlatlosi S. It] a foldittg tnat-h'tno. a grill. a plurality of ondloss hands travoling mot' tho lattor. atul ntoans to poriodioally dopross said hands holow tho ttppor surfaoo of tho rill.

J. in a folding ntaohino. a grill. a plurality of ondloss handstravoling oror tho lattor. tnoatts to poriodioallydopross said hands holow tho uppor surt'aoo of tho grill. and tnoans to :tlllt lll;lll(" lly raiso tho hands ahovo the grill.

l lit a folding tnaohiuo. a grill, a plurality of ondloss hands trat'oling ovor tho lattor. lovot's pivotod ahot'o the ill having thoir outor ottds oxtonding oat-h sido thoroof attd pivotally ronnootod at thoir opposito ends. a lovor ounnortotl with said pirotod onds. attd tnoans for poriodioally raising tho last nautod lovor. I

ll. .ln a folding tuaohiuo. a "ill. a plurality of oontinuonsly tt-avoling ondloss hands passing ovor tho grill. low-rspit'otally t'olltltolotl at ono ottd having tltoir opposito oads pt-ojot-ling on oat-h sido of tho grill and niountod on piyots projoottng through a longitudinal slot forinotl in oaoh lovor. an opt-rating lovor pivotod at otto ond ounnootod with tho pivotod onds-of tho lovors. and a rotatahlo oatn -tdaptod to aotuato tho froo ond of tho operating l vot'.

l in a folding tnaohino. tho oonthination with a rotating o \'lindor. of a plurality of oontinuously tra\'olittg.otnil hands ongaging tho rylindor. a grill tnountod honoath l lt hands. a t'tllll rotating with tho oyitndor, longitudinally slottod lo\'ot's tnottntod ahot'o tho hands oxtonding oaoh sido of tho grill. a pin oonnooting tho lovot's at ono ond. a rollor on tho outor ond of tilt'll lovor adaptodto ongago tho hands. pins pt-ojooting through tho slots on \vhirh tho lo\'ors slido. a pivotod lovor rosting till tilt oatn having a longitudinal slot to t'ooolvo tho ronnootihg pitn and a vot' tioal guido for tho oonnooting pin.

lit. in a folding tnaohino, tho oonthination with a rotat- 1 ing oylindor. of a plurality of continuously traveling endloss hands engaging the cylinder, a grill mountd beneath tho hands. ntoohanisnt to dopress said hands below the upper surlaoo of tho grill. a blado inountod ahove the grill. not-hanistn to pt'ojoot' tho hlado through tho grill during honoath tho grill.

H. in a folding niaohino. tho ootnhination with a t'otat ing rylindor. of a plurality of oontinnousl t' travoling endloss hands ongagitoaid o \'litttlot'. a grill tnountod honoath tho hands. a pair of rollors utouutod on t.'ll'll sido of tho grill. lorot-s rat-rying said rollors. a tvitating artn oonlllt'lltl to said lo\'ors. a rain for tatsing said arm. a hlado tuountotl ahovo tho grill. guidos for tho hlado. a holl-orank l loror t-onnootod with said hlado. a rant to rot-k tho holiorank lo\'or itt ono dirot'tion and a woighl lo rottttn tho lattor to'its normal position.

13. in a folding tnarhino. llto t'tlllllllllililtlll with a mini ing oylindor. of a t-ollor t'or prossing an :tt'iit-lo onto the oylindor, a plurality of rollors in oontaot with said oylindor a pair of rotating rolls turning itt oontaot' with ono anotht r in a dirootion and at a stool roanirotl to giro tho linott tho satuo :tdranoo tuovotuont as tho oylindor. a hlado and tnoans to oauso said hlado to hoar upon tho linon at tho plaoo whoro the fold is to ho tnado attd to pass it into ongagotnont with said pair of rotating rolls.

it}. ill a folding tnaohino. tho ootnhination with a rolating oylindotu of ntoans for hoating tho .\:llllt.-tt rollor. tuoans for autotn.-ttioally loworing tho lattor to pross tho liuon against tho oylindor. a plurality of prossor rolls for maintaining tho linon in oontaot with tlto o \'lindor. a pair of rolls turning in oontaot with ono anothor in tho diroo tion and at a spood rouuirod to giro tho linon tito satuo advanoo tnovotnont' as tho t-ylindor. a hlado. attd tnoans to atl\:-tnoo tho lat-toronto tho linon at tho plaoo whoro tho fold is to ho tnado antl oarry it hotwoon tho pair of rotating Polls.

17. in a folding ntaohino. tho combination of a rotating ryliudor having an intornai annular ohalnhor. ntoans for injooting a hoating tnodiunt into said ohatnhor. a roller. ntoans to atttoniatit'allt' tuovo tlto lattor into and out of ongagotnont with tho olindor, a plurality of prossor rolls lHllHltld to oontaot with tho oylindor to maintain an artiolo thoroon. a p. tr of oontaoting rolls; ono of \Vlllt'lt is in t-ontaot with tho o \'lindor. tnoans to guido an artiolo front tho prossor rolls ovor tho oontaoting rolls. attd an attto' Illtlllt:|l| oporatod hlado adaptod to ho advanood onto tho artiolo at a prodolortninod poriod. whorohy tho artiolo is t'od hotwoon tho rolls haok'onto tho oylindor.

lin a folding tnat-hino. tho oonlhination of a rotary o \'lindor having an intot'nal annular ohanthor. a hollow shaft oarr ing tho t-ylindor. a pipo oonnooting tho shaft and ohatnhor. a rollor. moans to poriodioally ntoro tho lattor into attd out ot oontaot with tho tzylindor. av pair of oontaoting rolls drivon hy tho rylindor. a plurality of prossor rolls intorposod hotwoon said roller attd ('ontaoting rolls and iii oontat-t with tho oyIindor. tnoans to guido an artiolo to ho l'oldod from tho pro -r rolls ovor tho routaoting rolls. a hlado. anti tnoans to poriodioally adtance tho hlado onto tho artirlo whorohy it is fod hotwoon the contacting rolls haok onto tho oylindor.

ln tostitnony that l rlaitn tho t'orogoing as my invontion. l haro signod tny natno in prosonoo of two suhsrrihing witnossosi EUGENE COLLON.

the deprossion ot',,tho hands-and a pair of rolls mountott llh 

